Church Professionals Commission
The Purpose of Church Professionals:
To foster the faith and vitality of those who are called to professional ministry—pastors, associate pastors, designated pastors, interim pastors, honorably retired teaching elders, stated supply, temporary supply, teaching elders in specialized ministry, inquirers, candidates, commissioned ruling elders, certified Christian educators, and ministers at-large.
Members & Contacts
2023
- Rev. Kathleen A. Nice, Teaching Elder Transitional General Presbyter
- Rev. Joel Esala, Chair, Teaching Elder
- Ms. Carol Evans, Ruling Elder
- Mrs. Mary French, Ruling Elder
- Dr. Mark A. Johnson, Commissioned Ruling Elder
2024
- Rev. Ronald N. Johnson, Teaching Elder
- Ms. Susan Dietz, Ruling Elder
- Ms. Elizabeth E. Tietz, Commissioned Ruling Elder
- Rev. Joel Esala, Teaching Elder
2025
- Mr. Joseph Amponsah, Ruling Elder
- Rev. Joon Won Lee, Teaching Elder
- Rev. Charlotte O’Neil, Teaching Elder
- Rev. Leland Platt, Teaching Elder
Pastoral Call / Other Forms
Resources
POLICIES
PROFESSIONAL Support
An annual church retreat is held in the fall to provide pastors and church professionals:
- Educational support
- Spiritual retreat
- Sense of community
Healthy Boundaries
For over three decades, the Presbyterian Church (USA) has acknowledged that sexual misconduct and exploitation have existed in its churches and among its members. Healthy Boundaries presents a positive approach to professional conduct and responsibilities. Periodic Healthy Boundaries training is required for all Church Professionals.
PREPARATION FOR MINISTRY
Care Task Team:
Rev. Jeff Jaynes, Chair
- Inquirer intake interviews
- Midwest career assessments
- Communications with general assembly
- Liaison to inquirers and candidates
- Annual consultants with inquirers and candidates
- Annual consultations with inquirers and candidates
- Guiding individual candidates processes
Examination and Credentials Task Team:
- Inquirer to candidate examinations
- Clearing candidates
- Examine pastors entering presbytery and from other denominations
- Ordination exams/proctors/readers
- Standards for ordination process
Care of Church Professionals Task Team:
- Mentor new pastors
- Liaison to pastors
- Pastor support team
certified ruling elders
The CRE program is an expansion of the church’s mission in a changing world. The ministry of Commissioned Pastors brings a marvelous richness to a congregation’s ministry and to the Presbytery’s mission. Commissioned Pastors are partners in mission as we seek to bring the good news of Christ to an ever-changing culture.
Although many CREs serve as part time pastors of small churches, there are other roles to which a person might be commissioned such as a parish associate or a member of a ministry team.
The program consists of core courses, practice of ministry courses and a nine month supervised field education experience, alternative clinical experience, communication and training on ethics and healthy boundaries.
